Bombardier gets BART add-on order for 365 cars

Bombardier Transportation said Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 it will supply Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) with an additional 365 rail cars, part of BART's "Fleet of the Future," through a contract worth roughly $639 million.

The contract is part of an option agreed to by the parties in June 2012, Bombardier noted, and brings the number of cars being built to 775, worth about $1.5 billion.

"BART is very pleased to be partnered with Bombardier for this important project to bring a new and improved fleet to the Bay Area," said BART General Manager Grace Crunican. "We look forward to the successful delivery of 775 innovative, reliable, safe and comfortable rail cars."

Said Bombardier Transportation President, Region Americas, Raymond Bachant, "This new order is indicative of BART's satisfaction with our partnership and progress in the design of this new generation of metro cars. The cars will incorporate state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly technologies and include input from Bay Area citizens who had the opportunity this summer to tour a mock-up of the car and learn about proposed improvements to the interior."

Bombardier said such improvements include: a reconfigured interior layout designed to maximize seating, openness, and comfort; more priority seating for seniors and people with disabilities; wheelchair areas at the end of each car; and bicycle racks in every car.

Other new features include: more comfortable seats; interior and exterior digital displays showing passenger information; a better quality public address system, including automated announcements; more doors to make boarding faster and easier; energy saving lighting; and energy-efficient propulsion and regenerative braking.

Bombardier will assemble the cars at its manufacturing plant in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Ten pilot cars are scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2015, followed by comprehensive testing of the pilot cars on the BART system. The delivery of the 765 remaining production series cars is expected to follow between early 2017 and 2021, Bombardier said.